California law gives minors social-media do-over

'Think about what you put on a website ... because it can live on beyond you'

Published: 09/25/2013 at 5:17 PM

(Associated Press) Minors in California will have a chance to remove embarrassing photographs and potentially damaging postings on social media websites under a new law that will be the first of its kind in the country.

Its central purpose is to give those under age 18 a second chance after they post something and later regret it.

Under the law, which takes effect in January 2015, website operators would be required to erase postings when asked by the minor to do so. Steinberg’s office said California would be the first state with such a requirement, although it would not apply if the content had been reposted by a third party.